A THIEF tried to steal bottles of spirits twice in four days from the same supermarket.

Mark Dart had “relapsed into heroin” after the death of his mum when he was spotted on CCTV stealing alcohol from Tesco and then days later was stopped by security trying the same trick again.

The 58-year-old had had a “long period of no offending” but grief saw him turn back to drugs, leading to drug driving and theft convictions, prior to the shoplifting, said his solicitor Miguel Blanco.

Dart lost his job as a result of the relapse and missed drug rehabilitation requirement days given to him by the court for previous offences.

Mr Blanco said his client has, however, “now caught up” with things and “managed to clean himself up”.

“He is a man of not many means but he is trying his best,” he added.

Shafquat Reaz, prosecuting, said Dart was spotted on CCTV showing him in Tesco in Evesham putting items into his trolley and then into a bag.

At 3pm on May 1, he put bottles of spirits into his rucksack and left the store without attempting to pay, before returning on May 4 at 2.30pm to do the same.

Mr Reaz said he was “seen moving items” suspiciously and was stopped by security outside.

Dart, of Cheltenham Road East, Gloucester, accepted theft and attempted theft from shops charges when appearing at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Chair of the bench Brent Robinson said it was disappointing to see him “back here before us” after nine years crime free. But he added: “It is good to hear you are on the straight and narrow.”

He is still subject to six months of a conditional discharge, so it was allowed it to continue unchanged.

Dart was also ordered to pay £155 in costs and fines.